Sam Darnold 'optimistic' about starting vs. Titans after returning to some Jets drills

Jets fans searching for something to cling to during this lost season got some encouraging news Wednesday: Sam Darnold might be back against the Titans this weekend.

The rookie quarterback practiced for the first time since suffering a foot strain in Miami on Nov. 4. Darnold practiced on a limited basis, but did take part in some team drills.

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“It felt really good today,” Darnold said after practice. “I got some action, so I’m just going to continue to do what I can to get better… I think it’s kind of assessing a little bit more later (Wednesday night) and (Thursday) morning… It’ll be interesting to see how it feels (Thursday), but I’m pretty optimistic about it though.”

Sam Darnold will see how his foot feels after going through some team drills, but sounds ready to go for Sunday. (Lynne Sladky / AP)

Although Todd Bowles predictably said little more than “we’ll see how he progresses during the week,” Darnold sure sounded like a guy who will play in Tennessee on Sunday.

“It’s a little sore, but nothing crazy,” said Darnold, who didn’t feel pain cutting or dropping back in his first work in three and a half weeks. “Just treating it. Ice tub and all that. Feeling good. Feeling really good…. I’m hopeful, but at the same time, seeing how I feel every single day. Assess it after every practice and go from there.”

Darnold hasn’t been on the field since his forgettable four-interception performance in a 13-6 loss to the Dolphins in Week 9.

“I want to play really bad, but at the same time I know it is a process,” Darnold said. “I just got to go about protocol and understand exactly what I need to do to get better.”

He said that conditioning wasn’t an issue on Wednesday. The feeling among teammates is that Darnold should be ready to go barring residual issues later in the week. “He looked good,” Quincy Enunwa said.

“It felt pretty normal for the most part,” Darnold said. “There were some times where I felt like my feet weren’t necessarily quick enough. But that just comes with a couple more practices. I felt really good for the most part.”

NOTES: Safety Marcus Maye (shoulder/thumb), who didn’t play last week, didn’t practice on Wednesday. Bowles said that the team will continue to monitor the situation before determining whether the second-player will be placed on I.R. … WR Robby Anderson (ankle) and RB Trenton Cannon (hamstring) didn’t practice… Josh McCown (back, right hand) was limited in practice.